HAVANA, Cuba—Since the passing of Fidel Castro three days ago, this photo of Fidel Castro with a Sikh, Harkishan Singh Surjeet, is being circulated on social media.
Surjeet was instrumental in sending 10,000 tonnes of wheat to Cuba during the 1990s’ crisis.
During the economic crisis in Cuba in early 1990s, it was Punjab that came forward to bail Cuba out at the call of Harkishan Singh Surjeet, former CPI(M) general secretary, when the communist country was under the presidentship of Fidel Castro.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union and the socialist rules in East European countries, Cuba faced the hardest time ever because of the economic crisis. The period is also known as ‘Special Period’ in Cuba.
Comrade Harkishan Singh Surjeet made efforts to contribute for the biggest solidarity aid ever to the communist country. He called upon farmers in Punjab and some other states to collect grain and other things, including soap.
Despite this, it should be noted that Surjeet was a communist party leader in India who supported Operation Bluestar and the genocide against Sikhs by the government of India.
@miss kaur, he wasn’t a Sikh
Like Navroop I am confused as to what it has to do with Castro. At the same time this Surjeet guy a total traitor to the Sikhs and cannot be regarded as a Sikh – he is part of the hinduvata clan!
It disgusts me how so many mainstream Sikhs think that Communism represents Gursikhi ideals of society.
Communism has infiltrated Sikhi since the formation of the SGPC and must be rooted out before Sikhi can flourish around the world.
Surjeet was precursor to the present turban wearing RSS leaders.
What has this got to do with Castro? It says more about Harkishan Singh Surjeet than anything else.
Communist Sikhs are the worse and their so disgustingly how they still keep the beard and paagh.
100% agreed.